Author Topic: What does the retro craze say about us?  (Read 3136 times)

Offline bad Chad

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What does the retro craze say about us?
« on: April 28, 2021, 08:04:06 PM »
It’s everywhere, cars , bikes, home furnishings, the list goes on and on. 

I like a fair amount of it, but I d wonder what it means for us in the big picture?  Why are we longing for the past?  Does it mean we have run out of ideas to make products better?  For example, did we reach the best possible designs of vehicles in the 1960/70s?

Are we done?  Have we run out of quality creativity?   It’s something I wonder about.   Any thought out ideas on this would be welcome.
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Offline Dirk_S

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2021, 08:20:38 PM »
Possibly SOME of that, but I’d also like to include for consideration the speed at which we’re moving in technology, which effects life in all sorts of manners, including cultural aesthetics, etc. I’d like to think that some of our nostalgia for vintage designs comes to the surface due to the fact that we’re moving so fast that parts of us instinctively want to slow down and enjoy what we have or had. It’s also worth remembering that previous periods in modern times have had their own tastes for the past.

Heck, you might even say that the Dodge Neon PT Cruiser proves that vintage-chic has been an in-thing for what... 25 years, now?
« Last Edit: April 28, 2021, 08:20:55 PM by Dirk_S »
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Offline Scud

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2021, 08:29:58 PM »
A desire to have a second chance at missed opportunities perhaps?

I have an order in for a new Ford Bronco. And yes, the coolest looking broncos were in the 60s and 70s. I always wanted one, but never got one.

As it happens, I stopped at a BMW dealer today (rode my Guzzi there). They had a sweet 50th anniversary bike - looked like an R9T scrambler but in the classic black and yellow "bumblebee" GS colors. Very cool looking. They are commemorating 50 years since the launch of the GS. I had a chance to buy an R80GS in the early 90s. At the time, I thought it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen. It has aged well, and is now cool. Looking back, I probably would have enjoyed that GS more than some of the street bikes I had during that time.

How many of us want Moto Guzzi to build a "retro" LeMans? Why? What does that say about us?

As for running out of creativity. I don't think so. The retro styled vehicles are usually very creative interpretations of the original. Except for the retro Ford Thunderbird, which was an un-flushable turd.
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Offline willowstreetguzziguy

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2021, 08:35:49 PM »
Maybe it’s “Bring back the good times!”
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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2021, 08:35:49 PM »

Offline Ncdan

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2021, 09:00:43 PM »
For me change simply ran off and left me behind. That’s the very reason I love that new HD bike.
« Last Edit: April 29, 2021, 05:25:28 AM by Ncdan »

Offline AJ Huff

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2021, 09:11:29 PM »
So why are people younger than you then the ones buying "retro" Camaros and Challengers? That can't be due to nostalgia.

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Offline not-fishing

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2021, 11:35:43 PM »
So why are people younger than you then the ones buying "retro" Camaros and Challengers? That can't be due to nostalgia.

-AJ

No, my youngest son told me it's all the car racing video games like Grand Turismo.  The kids want to drive the real thing.
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Offline DesertPilot

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2021, 11:52:46 PM »
Retro 'craze'?  I prefer to think of it as retro sanity.

The craze is rushing out to get new and worse things because they're new.  If 3 rider modes is good, surely 30 rider modes, a Bluetooth connection, refrigerated seat for summer riding, power handlebar adjust, and lean-sensitive foot massage is better!

Online reidy

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2021, 01:01:03 AM »
For me there are some designs that look classic and ageless. Not only with bikes but cars, houses and such. If I look at a Jaguar XJ6 series 1 I see a beautiful flowing design.

If a woman looked like Ann Margret on a Guzzi, would you call it retro craziness or a thing of beauty. 

The retro bikes are not trying to copy all old bikes. Some were just more visually appealing, even to a non motorcycle person.
Designers are constantly trying to be individual, but they can only go so far until the look just does not work longterm.

Steve

Offline Dimitri_Harkov

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2021, 02:32:56 AM »
I like to think that up to a certain point, all kinds of machinery were built:

1st to function, and
2nd: to look good without impeding function

I think in many areas, design moved to the first place, often with detrimental effects on function; or at least it became unnecessarily extreme.
Architecture is probably the top culprit here.
But in my opinion, this also extends to cars and motorbikes.

Personally, I prefer utilitarian design, that's why I gravitate to 'retro' stuff.

Cheers,
D.
« Last Edit: April 29, 2021, 02:33:43 AM by Dimitri_Harkov »
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Offline Huzo

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2021, 03:16:54 AM »
The people that made better money than their parents are now retiring on a few quid and are going to PARTAY..!
Blokes around my age are swimming in cash and want to re live their good days with money to make it happen, so the manufacturers build what our demographic wants.
Royal Enfield 650’s, Kawasaki Z900’s, CB1300 Honda’s and the like.
Money talks, bullshit walks.
We’ve got it and they want to relieve us of it....Mission accomplished..!
Also here in Oz, it’s taken about twenty years for just about everybody to realise that if you speed, you WILL lose your licence immediately or by degrees, so turning up to a ride day on a Desmosedici Ducati, just makes you look like you’re  out for a tug... :embarrassed:
« Last Edit: April 29, 2021, 03:19:35 AM by Huzo »

Offline Murray

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2021, 04:16:34 AM »
That a sad old grumpy bunch of boomers are running the world and trying to make out their youth was actually better than it ever hoped to be :P

Offline Huzo

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2021, 05:25:24 AM »
That a sad old grumpy bunch of boomers are running the world and trying to make out their youth was actually better than it ever hoped to be :P
My youth was fantastic, but I’m certainly not grumpy...

Offline twowheeladdict

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #13 on: April 29, 2021, 05:30:18 AM »
I see a major difference between a 60s muscle car and today's muscle car.  They may have similar looks, but that is where any resemblance begins and ends.

Motorcycles are a little different with some being fully modern with retro styling cues and some being the same bikes with incremental improvements.

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Offline sdcr

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #14 on: April 29, 2021, 05:57:51 AM »
Retro has been going on for generations.

 To paraphrase, retro is Deja Vu all over again.
John
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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #15 on: April 29, 2021, 06:40:25 AM »
refrigerated seat for summer riding

Sign me up!!!

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #16 on: April 29, 2021, 06:53:55 AM »
I see a major difference between a 60s muscle car and today's muscle car.  They may have similar looks, but that is where any resemblance begins and ends.

Motorcycles are a little different with some being fully modern with retro styling cues and some being the same bikes with incremental improvements.

This right here!!! Independent suspension. Making over 400hp and having the option to get over 20mpg. Massive four wheel disc brakes. All that and climate control and comfort. And if you adjust for inflation the prices haven’t increased that much. The similarities end at the cosmetic part.

Offline centauro

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #17 on: April 29, 2021, 07:02:51 AM »
"The more thing change, the more they stay the same"......

And I agree with the notion that the latest technical innovation in bikes, driven only by new safety and emission concerns, have not fundamentally changed the character of motorcycles.

A classic machine from the '70s, properly cared for, can still perform well in today's environment, even without all the bells and whistles. And that's what is fueling a revival of old iron......
Val Barone
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Offline Alfetta

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #18 on: April 29, 2021, 07:19:39 AM »
i think this sums it up nicely

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlbkAhCNvik
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Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #19 on: April 29, 2021, 07:21:57 AM »
Sign me up!!!

A friend has a truck with air conditioned seats. They are amazing! Its one of those things I didn't know I needed in my life until I tried it. 
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Offline larrys

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #20 on: April 29, 2021, 08:47:35 AM »
I think that everything, no matter what it is, goes through the same phases. First it's new and cool. Next, its not new or as cool. Then its old and dated. Then at some point its old enough and it becomes "vintage" and is cool once again. I remember when Loops were just old and weren't worth much. Then they became cool again and Tontis were just old. The Cal III/EV's are just old now and can be had cheap. They'll be cool again once they're old enough. And so will we...
Larry
« Last Edit: April 29, 2021, 09:02:44 AM by larrys »
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Offline Bulldog9

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #21 on: April 29, 2021, 08:50:25 AM »
Nostalgia has always been a thing....
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Offline Testarossa

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #22 on: April 29, 2021, 09:19:34 AM »
Nostalgia does play a part -- we all lust for the bike or car or ??? we couldn't afford when we turned 16, which is why prices go up on any well-maintained machine when it's about 35 or 40 years old. Our generation like retros when we can't afford a fully-restored BSA or Velocette.

But there's more to it. I noticed this winter that the lift operators in Aspen listen to a ton of '70s-era rock -- at some level they like the drive and color and variety compared to the fairly monotonous -- in the sense of tune-free -- stuff being foisted on them by today's musicians. Modern cars tend to look like smooth wind-tunnel lumps, sleek and not unattractive but all the same and without character. Retro stuff is quirky, with personality. For instance, despite being aimed at the same buyers, today's Beetle, Fiat 500 and Mini don't look alike. Same with bikes. Today's superbikes, to my eye, are hard to tell apart other than by branded colors, but when I see a retro flash by I know instantly if it's a Guzzi, Triumph, RE or Beemer. Even the motomags (or the motovids that have replaced them) use the word character when they review a retrobike, and not when they ride an adv or fully-faired rocket. Harley has known this principle all along -- for a generation they've sold nothing but retro bikes.

The retro Beetle that sort of kicked off this trend in the car world was sold mostly to women and hipsters who thought it was cute or "affordably authentic." But the real first retro was the Miata, which filled the hole left when the British car industry cratered. I'd argue that Porsche is like Harley -- it never stopped making a retro 911.
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Offline bad Chad

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #23 on: April 29, 2021, 09:25:33 AM »
Retro, and certainly nostalgia have been around a long time, but to my eye, not near the level reached today, that's why I called it a "craze".
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Offline Bulldog9

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #24 on: April 29, 2021, 09:36:04 AM »
Retro, and certainly nostalgia have been around a long time, but to my eye, not near the level reached today, that's why I called it a "craze".

Must be that pesky North American viewpoint again :evil:
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Offline guzzisteve

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #25 on: April 29, 2021, 09:47:47 AM »
I would like to see retro electrics. So far the CARC bikes have held up for over 20yrs.
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Offline Dimitri_Harkov

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #26 on: April 29, 2021, 10:27:11 AM »
One of the better attempts IMHO:

https://rgnt-motorcycles.com/



Price vs specs still seems a bit off, though.

Cheers,
D.
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Offline Moparnut72

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #27 on: April 29, 2021, 10:42:32 AM »
Case in point, I was out yesterday on my V7lll doing errands. I was at the post office when a guy on a Honda African Twin pulls in and says "I love your classic old bike, what year is it". Um, 2019. He then said he didn't know much about Moto GuZZis. I corrected him on his pronunciation and told him that the model goes back a bit but it is a modern bike. I told him I also have another, Audace, that is more current in the looks department. I am an old fart but I can't stand the "insect" bikes, V85TT excepted, good looking adventure bike in my opinion.
kk
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Offline Guzzi Gal

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #28 on: April 29, 2021, 11:55:11 AM »
We're old. :shocked:
:bow: Thanks for enabling my MG obsession! :bow:
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Offline Tom H

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Re: What does the retro craze say about us?
« Reply #29 on: April 29, 2021, 12:11:58 PM »
I was out the other day with my beat up and rusty '62 F100. While at a gas station, a younger guy looked over and said cool truck. Don't know if he meant it or was being sarcastic?? :huh: :undecided:

Tom
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